“Food first,” he insisted. “Then sex. You need all the fuel you can get for the next few days. Oliver would tell you the same if he was here.”
“If Oliver was here,” Josh mused, “this would be a very different kind of party.”
Cole had no doubt Josh had been to parties like that, but he didn’t ask. The omega talked about his past when he wanted to, but Cole didn’t like to pry.
“Another few bites, Josh,” he coaxed, holding up the rest of the bun.
Josh took the sticky cake from his hands and proceeded to make the most sinful noises as he demolished it, squirming around on Cole’s lap as he did. It meant that, by the time they were done with breakfast, Cole was rock hard and more than ready for what came next. They stopped by the bathroom to wash off the worst of the stickiness, and then Cole held out his hand with a flourish.
“Your bed awaits,” he told Josh. He was determined to show the omega just how fulfilling sex and heat could be.
Josh grabbed his hand eagerly, seeming only too happy to follow his lead.
When they got to the bed, he shed his clothes and went to lie down. Cole stopped him.
“I was thinking something a little different. How about you kneel beside the headboard? That’ll give you something to hold onto.”
A shudder ran through Josh as he moved to his knees. Cole climbed up on the bed and slotted in behind him, running a hand through the omega’s hair before drawing his head forward. It revealed the nape of Josh’s neck, the stretch of skin there inviting and enticing.
Cole started with his fingers, light taps that had Josh closing his eyes and letting out little hums of pleasure. He pressed deeper, feeling for the edge of the mating gland, knowing he’d found it when Josh gasped loudly and pressed back into his hand.
With a low chuckle, he kneaded deeper, pulling a long moan from Josh, whose hands were fisted against his thighs.
“Good?” Cole asked.
All Josh managed was an incoherent mumble that became a strangled moan when Cole replaced fingers with lips, kissing the nape of Josh’s neck and sucking the skin lightly.
From the way Josh just couldn’t keep still, his hips jerking with every panted breath, Cole knew he was ready. He slid his hands down Josh’s arms, grasping the omega’s hands in his, and urged him forward to wrap his fingers around the headboard.
“Just to give you something to anchor to,” he murmured.
Josh gripped the wooden frame loosely, his body pliant as Cole’s hands found his hips, urging his knees and thighs just that bit wider.
“Ready?”
“Yes,” Josh breathed.
Cole pushed forward, pressing inside with one smooth thrust. Josh’s hands tightened around the headboard as the omega cried out, pushing back against him.
There was no mistaking what Josh wanted, what he needed. Cole pulled back and thrust in again, settling his own hands on the headboard right next to Josh’s.
Each time he plunged inside Josh, the omega’s vocal calls of pleasure filled the air around him. Cole thrust faster, harder, watching how Josh’s hands took such a tight hold that his knuckles turn white.
As the heat built up between them, Cole let go of the headboard and wrapped his arms around Josh instead, drawing him upright. It changed the angle between them, making each thrust deeper but with less force behind it. It gave Cole better control of the pace for what came next, though it meant Josh had only him to rely on for balance.
Josh reached his hands back, clinging to whatever part of Cole he could reach, seeking to ground himself. Cole gradually sped his thrusts back up, easing a hand down to stroke Josh’s cock while his other arm crossed Josh’s shoulders.
“I’m so close, Cole,” Josh panted. “Any second now and I’ll—”
Cole redoubled his efforts, kissing Josh’s neck as the omega’s body tightened around him. With one final thrust, he bit down gently on Josh’s nape, and they climaxed together. Josh went perfectly still in his arms, his head thrown back as he cried out, his whole body arched toward Cole as Cole’s own orgasm washed over him. He could feel the pulse point beneath his mouth on Josh’s neck, could feel the way the omega’s body tightened reflexively around his cock, milking every moment of pleasure from him. It felt like it went on forever, the pleasure slowly ebbing away, leaving every inch of Cole’s skin tingling.
As he released Josh’s skin, he pressed a soothing kiss to it, loving the little sound of contentment that pulled from Josh. Mated and bonded, something he had long doubted he’d be lucky enough to have.
Josh sank back against him, boneless, his face a picture of pleasure. Cole let them both fall back against the bed, rolling him onto his side.
“Josh,” he murmured. “Doing okay?”
“Ask me when my brain turns back on,” the omega mumbled. “I think I blew a fuse.”
That was answer enough for Cole. As Josh drowsed, he let his hand skim up and down the omega’s body, marveling that he was lucky enough to find a love like this.
Waking was followed by another round of sex, and then their first visitors. They heard Oliver before they saw him, the omega giving them plenty of warning before he poked his head in the door.
“Good, you’re awake.”
“Sort of,” Cole said, rubbing his hands over his eyes.
“We brought food.” Oliver gave Cole a significant look. “Zane’s got it in the kitchen.”
Taking that as his cue to make himself scarce for a few minutes, he kissed Josh on the lips and then got out of bed. He paused to pull on some sweatpants and padded past Oliver. The door closed behind him, and he imagined the two omegas, thick as thieves, discussing the ins and outs of the heat and how it was going. He hoped he was measuring up.
Zane was standing in the kitchen, unloading plastic boxes and bags.
“We weren’t sure what you two would like, so we brought a mixture,” he said. “How’s it going?”
“Good, I think. It feels like we’ve bonded.”
Zane grinned and clapped him on the shoulder. “That’s great news, really and truly.”
“How are the horses? I should get a chance to go and check on them later.”
“Thorn and I have got it covered,” Zane promised. “They’re doing fine. Well, Ginny was a little peevish with Thorn, but that’s normal for her.”
“That’s normal for anyone dealing with Thorn,” Cole joked.
“He and Brax have also been keeping an extra watch on the periphery, what with you being otherwise engaged.”
“Thanks,” Cole said. “I appreciate it.”
He grabbed two plates from the cupboard and started putting together some food he thought Josh would like. Nothing too fancy or messy, something they could eat easily. While he was doing that, Oliver arrived, Josh on his heels. Both omegas were smiling.
“All okay?” Cole asked.
They shared a look, their smiles growing.
“Sounds like you two are having a good time,” Oliver said. “We brought protein shakes for Josh. It might be an easier way to get food in over the next few days.”
“Thanks, I’ll make sure he gets them,” Cole said.
“Then we’ll leave you to it,” Oliver said, gesturing to Zane. “You know where we are if you need us.”
And then they were gone, leaving Josh and Cole alone again.
“Should I make you up a shake?” Cole asked, spying one of the packets.
“I think I’d prefer some of that right now,” Josh countered, pointing to the plate Cole was making up. He yawned loudly, wavering a little on his feet.
“Head back to bed. I’ll bring the food to you,” Cole said.
“Dinner in bed,” Josh teased. “Sounds like heaven.”
“Let’s hope it tastes like it.”
He went ahead and made a shake for good measure, deciding it wouldn’t do any harm to have one on hand. Then he gathered up all the food and beverages and carried them into the bedroom. Josh was dozing, but he woke with a smil
e when Cole settled back into bed.
“Yum, that looks great,” he said as Cole set a plate of cubed cheese and fruit between them. The omega ate some but tired quickly. Cole took over, picking up pieces of cheese and slices of fruit and holding them to Josh’s lips. He ate each one with little happy moans. When he went so far as to lick the juice from Cole’s fingers, Cole knew they didn’t have long before the next round. He set the plates aside, coaxed Josh into drinking a few mouthfuls of the shake, then let the omega roll him onto his back, catching his chin and pressing a kiss to his lips. This would certainly be a heat to remember.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Josh sat next to Cole in the back of the car, tugging nervously at his shirt as they pulled up to the entrance of the courthouse. Cole and Oliver had helped him choose his outfit, but no matter how many times they assured him it was suitable, he still felt like his growing pregnancy was obvious. It wasn’t that he didn’t want anyone to know he was pregnant. He just didn’t want Stewart or Stewart’s lawyer to know that little detail. Or the media, for that matter.
In the month since he and Cole had mated, his body had gone through a rapid set of changes that had left him dizzy, and a little disconcerted. When he found himself avoiding looking in the mirror every morning, he finally broke down and talked to Kira. What she said made a heap of sense—his former career had placed a lot of importance on his looks, his body, and having that change in ways beyond his control was scary. He wasn’t sure he’d ever grow to love the pregnant look, but he was excited for what it meant for him and Cole.
“There’s quite the crowd out there,” Oliver said from the front. “I can call security, see about them letting us in around the side. They might make an exception, especially for someone in your condition.”
Josh lifted his head and took in the mob of people.
“No. I won’t hide from this. How many other omegas in bad situations are going to be watching this? I want them to see me walk in there with my head held high.”
“Well said,” Cole murmured. “Even if I’d much prefer to get you inside the safest way possible.”
Josh patted the alpha’s hand in reassurance. This was just the first hearing, where Stewart would enter his plea. It didn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things, but since it was unlikely Josh would be able to attend too many other hearings in person over the next few months, he wanted to be there for this one.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked Cole. “I don’t mean us running the gauntlet out there. I mean hanging around in the courtroom for this. They’re going to run through the list of charges, in detail. You might not want to hear all that.”
And with the person who’d hurt him, who’d put him in danger, so close at hand, he worried a little about Cole’s ability to keep himself in check.
Cole cupped his cheek. “Trust me,” he said quietly. “I’m here for you, I won’t leave your side. And Brax and Oliver are here for both of us.”
Josh relaxed at that. “I know. I just don’t want to put you through more than you or I can handle.” This trial was going to stretch them both to their limits, even if it was the right thing to do.
“Ready?” Brax asked as they came to a stop outside. The gathered crowd peered through the windows at them as security guards came down the steps, clearing a path.
“As we’ll ever be,” Josh said.
Cole and Brax got out first. Josh followed Cole, while Brax went around the car to get Oliver. The crowd around them pressed in.
“Joey, is it true that you’ve—”
“Joey, Stewart Bozdale says you’re a liar. Have you any response to that?”
Cole’s arm went around him, the alpha supporting him but not hiding him away from prying eyes. It buffered him from the glare of the camera lights, the shouts, and the stares as they headed up and into the courthouse. Josh didn’t let himself huddle into Cole’s side—he forced himself to stand up straight, to keep his head up, and his eyes forward.
“Joshua,” a voice called from up ahead of them. “The Omega Actors Guild stands with you.”
Startled at hearing his full name, he glanced that way to see a group of omegas with banners. He knew at least one of those faces, giving them a smile and a nod as he walked by. So he had some supporters out in the world. Small a group as they might be, it was far better than nothing.
They got inside and were directed to a small side room. True to every experience he’d had of the court system so far, they sat and waited.
Nine o’clock became ten. Became ten-thirty. Cole and Brax took turns pacing the room. Tired of watching them, Josh jumped to his feet.
“My turn,” he announced.
At their looks of bemusement, he added, “Alphas aren’t the only ones who can wear holes in the floor. Besides, my back is aching.”
He waved off their concern, distracting himself by walking back and forth across the floor, trying not to step on the edges of the tiles. That was a game he’d played back when he was a kid. No matter what group home he was in, there was always a tiled floor to play on.
It was almost eleven o’clock, and Josh was just starting to get hungry when Liam came in.
“What’s the delay?” Oliver asked.
“Good news,” Liam said. “I just heard from the prosecutor. Stewart has accepted a last-minute plea deal.”
Josh sat down with a thump. Was that good news?
“What does that mean?”
Liam took a seat opposite Josh.
“For you, it means no need to sit through a trial, no giving evidence, no being cross-examined. Not having the minutiae of your life torn apart up on the stand.”
“And for Stewart?”
“The most serious charge on the table meant an automatic twenty-five-year sentence if he was found guilty. The prosecutor agreed to drop that charge in return for Stewart accepting a fifteen-year sentence with the opportunity for parole after ten years. In exchange, he has to admit to everything in open court and give evidence against those others who were implicated in the investigation. If he fails to fulfill his end of the deal, he gets thirty years, no parole.”
Ten years? It sounded like a good deal—for Stewart.
“I know it doesn’t seem fair,” Oliver said. “But from what the detectives have hinted at, Stewart really is the lynchpin in all this. This way, a lot more bad guys get what’s coming to them, and a lot more omegas get justice. Stewart will never get the chance to hurt another omega; he’ll never work in the industry again when he gets out. His life is over. Yours is just beginning.”
Josh let his eyes close and nodded. “I think I’d like to end this chapter of my life,” he said, pressing a hand to his bump, “sooner rather than later. Besides, it’s not like I have a choice, is it?”
The criminal case was out of his hands. If the prosecutor thought this was for the best, then so be it.
“There is one decision you do get to make,” Liam said. “You still have the chance to make an impact statement, like we talked about.”
“When?”
“At the sentencing hearing, which will be in about… forty minutes.”
So soon? Josh had not planned or prepared to be doing any talking in the courtroom today. But it looked like this would be his only chance.
“Forty minutes? Okay. I’ll be ready.” Determined, he looked around the room.
“I’ve got pens and paper,” Oliver said. “We’ll get started right now.”
Cole squeezed Josh’s hand. “You’re doing great.”
“If someone gives you a voice, it seems wrong to waste it,” Josh told him.
It was almost an hour later before he stood on the stand, next to a stoic-faced judge and a sympathetic court transcriber. His hand shook where he gripped the paper, but his voice didn’t waver as he spoke. He kept it short, wanting it to be memorable and impactful, focusing on Stewart at the start but ending on a different note.
“I was fifteen when Stewart came and spirited me away,
” he concluded. “I thought I was being rescued. If ever there was a sign that we live in a broken society, it’s when exploitation looks like rescue, because the alternatives were so much worse. Stewart was not, by far, the only one who failed me and the other omegas he took advantage of. The system failed us, society failed us. I hope we can learn from this and make things better for all of us.”
Stewart kept trying to meet his eyes, but Josh avoided his gaze, stepping down and rejoining Cole and the others.
Then it was Stewart’s turn to speak, to tell the truth about all he’d done.
“I want to start by saying how sorry I am…”
Josh couldn’t listen to it. Luckily, he didn’t have to. When he stood up, so did Cole, Brax, and Oliver. Stewart’s voice faltered. The four of them moved as a group, standing outside the courtroom until they heard the judge’s voice again. They stepped inside for just long enough to hear Stewart being sentenced, and then all Josh wanted was to get out of there.
The crowd outside was louder than they’d been on the way in.
“Joey, do you have any comment?”
“Joey, what do you want to say to your fans?”
He ignored them, climbed into the car, and breathed a sigh of relief.
“Can we go home now?”
“We can go wherever you want,” Cole promised him.
“Just home.”
Halfway there, Oliver’s phone kept beeping persistently.
“Uh, Josh,” the omega ventured. “There’s something going on I think you should hear. Do you mind if I turn on the radio?”
“Sure.” He sat up from where he’d been curled against Cole, curious as to what was happening.
The radio came on mid-report. “…leaked courtroom documents show the actor, made infamous by his sex tape with Joey Kinsley, is currently facing serious charges relating to that encounter. His agent has made a statement denying any wrongdoing. Rumors abound that he’s about to be dropped from his latest project, a multi-movie adaptation of the…”
Keeper (The Lost Pack Book 2) Page 18